Post by dickjny on Dec 14, 2017 12:26:08 GMT -5
Gentlemen,
- I read you talking about wheel spin as being good. No matter how much "stick" you get between the track and the tire there is "always" some wheel spin. My concern was feeding enough power to the rear wheel without pushing too much air. I still contend that running at redline and slipping the clutch is the best way to do this without a wheelie bar (not allowed in stock classes I ran).
- The clutch IS the weakest link. Original clutch disks on my H2 were plastic with the friction material bonded to them. The plastic would hold up to about 3 hot 1/4 mile runs. I would always inspect all of them for cracks and change the HOT clutch fluid (I ran ATF) and put in fresh cool fluid). I ran them for a couple of years then changed to Barnett clutches which were aluminum with the friction material bonded to them. They are still in the bike today. They hold up to the abuse and heat!
- In 1981 when I beat the Nat'l Record holder, on a stock Z1, in C/S at Atco NJ; I got him by 7-8 length off the line (according to a fan in the stands that I talked with later). Z1's always come on strong in the last 1/8 mile so I knew I had to get the hole shot. I took the chance on a red light and shaved the light as close as I could. It paid off' it was probably one of my best hole shots ever.
- You talk about handling. I have a photo of a Yamaha R5 frame next to a Kawasaki H2 frame. You can see that the Yamaha frame is more rigidly build and gusseted. I have and R5 and my H2 and at times have them both registered for the street. The H2 would shake it's head on grooved highways and sometimes under braking. I used to try and control it with the steering damper but it did not always work. Finally I moved to front brake caliper from in front of the forks to behind the forks (see photo). After that I took the steering damper off. Didn't need it (also less weight).
- The weight of my bike with 1/2 tank of fuel is about the same as dry weight (405 approx.). I was usually about 155 when I was drag racing. That put the bike and me about 5 Lbs over minimum. How much fuel in the tank did not seem to matter, as I experimented a lot with that. Premium fuel slowed me down. I ran leaded regular almost all the time and bigger main jet (for Atco which is near sealevel), with great results. Remember this is a stock bike with stock ports. I would remove the air filter but leave the 3 int 1 rubber piece there to insure that all carbs got even distribution of air.
- Rear tire was VERY IMPORTANT! I ran Stock Harley Davidson Sportster tires (Goodyear 4.00x18 All Traction) until they no longer became available. They were made for a different shape rim, so I had to install them then pump them up to about 95 psi before they would seat, then reduce the air to what I wanted. They had a good soft rubber and flat tread so I got a lot of rubber on the road. Had to be careful on the street on corners as there was less rubber running on the edge that was created by drag racing.
- I spent a lot of time talking with the guy who held the Nat'l AMDRA record (early 1970's) on an H2. He lived in Phily PA USA area and sold computers and had a garage full of different motorcycles. His record was 11.99 set at Indy track with a tailwind, but I got a lot of good pointer from him. He moved up to non-stock classes and 4 strokes. I watched him ride a wheelie at Atco NJ ones and I swear he was hanging over the front handlebars and never let off. He lost that run (probably pushing too much air) but what a show!!!
- Well I don't have any other tricks for a good run but I did run 3 ET's in a row at 12.28 with different MPH's at ESTA (Empire State Timing Assoc.) Safety Park Dragstrip in Cicero, NY ... estadrags.com/ ... once.
- Always wanted to be in the 11's but best of 12.22 ET @ approx. 109 MPH Avg in 1/4 and 7.99 in 1/8. Not too shabby and always lots of fun.
- We should make plans to meet at a drag racing event in 2018! Have a very Merry Christmas and best to all for 2018!!
Cheers, Dick Jamieson - Horseheads, NY
Drag racer - If you can't win, make your competition set a new record!
- I read you talking about wheel spin as being good. No matter how much "stick" you get between the track and the tire there is "always" some wheel spin. My concern was feeding enough power to the rear wheel without pushing too much air. I still contend that running at redline and slipping the clutch is the best way to do this without a wheelie bar (not allowed in stock classes I ran).
- The clutch IS the weakest link. Original clutch disks on my H2 were plastic with the friction material bonded to them. The plastic would hold up to about 3 hot 1/4 mile runs. I would always inspect all of them for cracks and change the HOT clutch fluid (I ran ATF) and put in fresh cool fluid). I ran them for a couple of years then changed to Barnett clutches which were aluminum with the friction material bonded to them. They are still in the bike today. They hold up to the abuse and heat!
- In 1981 when I beat the Nat'l Record holder, on a stock Z1, in C/S at Atco NJ; I got him by 7-8 length off the line (according to a fan in the stands that I talked with later). Z1's always come on strong in the last 1/8 mile so I knew I had to get the hole shot. I took the chance on a red light and shaved the light as close as I could. It paid off' it was probably one of my best hole shots ever.
- You talk about handling. I have a photo of a Yamaha R5 frame next to a Kawasaki H2 frame. You can see that the Yamaha frame is more rigidly build and gusseted. I have and R5 and my H2 and at times have them both registered for the street. The H2 would shake it's head on grooved highways and sometimes under braking. I used to try and control it with the steering damper but it did not always work. Finally I moved to front brake caliper from in front of the forks to behind the forks (see photo). After that I took the steering damper off. Didn't need it (also less weight).
- The weight of my bike with 1/2 tank of fuel is about the same as dry weight (405 approx.). I was usually about 155 when I was drag racing. That put the bike and me about 5 Lbs over minimum. How much fuel in the tank did not seem to matter, as I experimented a lot with that. Premium fuel slowed me down. I ran leaded regular almost all the time and bigger main jet (for Atco which is near sealevel), with great results. Remember this is a stock bike with stock ports. I would remove the air filter but leave the 3 int 1 rubber piece there to insure that all carbs got even distribution of air.
- Rear tire was VERY IMPORTANT! I ran Stock Harley Davidson Sportster tires (Goodyear 4.00x18 All Traction) until they no longer became available. They were made for a different shape rim, so I had to install them then pump them up to about 95 psi before they would seat, then reduce the air to what I wanted. They had a good soft rubber and flat tread so I got a lot of rubber on the road. Had to be careful on the street on corners as there was less rubber running on the edge that was created by drag racing.
- I spent a lot of time talking with the guy who held the Nat'l AMDRA record (early 1970's) on an H2. He lived in Phily PA USA area and sold computers and had a garage full of different motorcycles. His record was 11.99 set at Indy track with a tailwind, but I got a lot of good pointer from him. He moved up to non-stock classes and 4 strokes. I watched him ride a wheelie at Atco NJ ones and I swear he was hanging over the front handlebars and never let off. He lost that run (probably pushing too much air) but what a show!!!
- Well I don't have any other tricks for a good run but I did run 3 ET's in a row at 12.28 with different MPH's at ESTA (Empire State Timing Assoc.) Safety Park Dragstrip in Cicero, NY ... estadrags.com/ ... once.
- Always wanted to be in the 11's but best of 12.22 ET @ approx. 109 MPH Avg in 1/4 and 7.99 in 1/8. Not too shabby and always lots of fun.
- We should make plans to meet at a drag racing event in 2018! Have a very Merry Christmas and best to all for 2018!!
Cheers, Dick Jamieson - Horseheads, NY
Drag racer - If you can't win, make your competition set a new record!